AVP, Corporate Development

Sun Life of Canada - Corporate; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 165,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Sun Life in Toronto seeks an Assistant Vice President to lead the Corporate Development team, overseeing acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. This senior role requires hands-on leadership across global transactions and integration planning.

You will develop growth strategies, mentor teams, and present to the Executive Team, balancing complex financial analysis with strategic vision in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of relevant experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or similar; leadership of an in-house team is a plus.
• Undergraduate degree with focus in finance or commerce; MBA/CFA/CPA/CBV desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of M&A valuation approaches, due diligence, and deal structuring.

Responsibilities

• Lead all stages of complex transactions from assessment to execution with internal and external partners.
• Identify, research, and analyze potential acquisition targets.
• Develop detailed financial models and valuations; review team analyses with stakeholders.
• Lead transaction due diligence and assess risks with mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate negotiations, term sheets and legal documentation; oversee integration or separation planning.
• Advise executives and prepare boards' discussion materials on transactions and market opportunities.

Skills

M&A valuation

Financial modeling

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

People leadership

Relationship management

Education

Finance or commerce degree

MBA / CFA / CPA / CBV desirable

Job description

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful. When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description

Sun Life is seeking an Assistant Vice President to join our Corporate Development team, based in Toronto. Corporate Development is responsible for executing a wide range of transactions, including acquisitions and sales; equity investments; and the establishment of joint ventures and strategic partnerships. The team operates globally and includes members based in North America and Hong Kong, supporting strategic initiatives across Sun Life's international businesses. Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Development, the AVP will serve as a senior, hands-on leader. The AVP will help develop and execute short- and long-term growth strategies across Sun Life’s businesses, advise on the strategic fit, valuation, and structuring of semi-organic and inorganic opportunities, and lead teams supporting complex transactions. He or she will also help set transaction priorities, allocate team resources, develop corporate development talent, and maintain and strengthen best practices for M&A and adjacent activities.

What you will do:

• Lead all stages of complex transactions, from strategic assessment through negotiation and execution, collaborating with internal functional partners and business group leaders and interfacing with counterparties and external advisors.
• Identify, research, and analyze potential acquisition targets.
• Assess strategic fit with the relevant business units, challenge investment assumptions, and provide a clear recommendation, including when not to proceed.
• Develop detailed financial models and valuations of target businesses and direct and review the team’s analysis, incorporating relevant input from internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead transaction due diligence with the deal team, assess transaction risks, and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Analyze proposed deal structures and recommend ways to optimize the transaction.
• Lead or support negotiations, and review and provide recommendations on term sheets and legal documentation.
• Coordinate integration or separation planning and provide oversight as required.
• Advise senior executives and directors and prepare Executive Team and Board presentations and discussion materials that synthesize complex financial and qualitative analysis of a transaction or market opportunity.
• Contribute to internal projects and other organic strategic initiatives, including improvements to corporate development processes and capabilities.

Leadership Capabilities:

• Ability to set direction, challenge assumptions, and translate sound judgment into clear recommendations to executives and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated people leadership, including developing talent, delegating work, setting priorities, allocating resources, and overseeing multiple transactions.
• Inspire and influence: engage and develop the team, influence key stakeholders, work collaboratively, build strong relationships, and continuously improve corporate development processes and capabilities.
• Unquestioned ethical standards, high trust, and uncompromising integrity, with ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and provide objective advice in complex and sensitive situations.

What you need to succeed:

• 10-15 years of relevant experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, or a similar function, including demonstrated ownership of complex transactions; experience leading an in-house corporate development team is considered an asset.
• Undergraduate degree with a focus in finance or commerce; a corporate finance-focused MBA degree, CFA, CPA, or CBV, or a combination is desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of M&A valuation approaches, due diligence best practices, and deal structuring.
• Direct transactional experience within the financial services industry (e.g., insurance or asset management) preferred; other transactional experience will be considered if relevant.
• Strong relationship management skills with internal and external partners, clients, advisors, and other stakeholders.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to work effectively amid changing priorities and multiple simultaneous assignments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting analysis and recommendations to senior executives and directors and leading initiatives to completion.
• Proficiency in using technology and AI tools to strengthen analysis and streamline workflows.

What's in it for you:

• Being a member of the Sun Life family, a group of people united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.
• In 2024, Sun Life ranked among the top 100 most sustainable global corporations by Corporate Knights for the 15th consecutive year, leading Canadian insurers.
• We are proud to be on the 2024 Best Workplaces in Canada list by Great Place to Work.
• We’re also listed as one of the Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Teams.
• Unique Sabbatical Program gives you the opportunity to take up to 6 weeks off, every five years.
• Care Days available for self-care or care of others (i.e., family or others you may support) and Sick Days to support your well-being.
• Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors.
• In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance.
• Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.

We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling. We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This role requires presence at our Toronto One York offices at least three days a week. Ability to work across different time zones, including outside regular office hours in certain circumstances.

We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you.

Salary Range: 165,000/165 000 - 235,000/235 000

Job Category: Corporate Development & Strategy Posting End Date: 03/11/2026

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our Clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to [e-mail].

Shine together At Sun Life, you can be your most brilliant self. Our supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment is one where you – and your career – can thrive. Whatever your aspirations, collaborative leaders and colleagues are ready to help you learn, grow, and succeed. Make life brighter We’re a global company with a passion for people. Our purpose is to help Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. As a team of 30,000 across 26 countries, our impact is far-reaching, and locally relevant There’s power in numbers. As part of Sun Life’s growing team, you have an impact on people in your community and around the world. Shape the future With an optimistic eye on a brighter future, we drive to innovate. Be part of leading change, push boundaries and try new ways of working. Use data to drive bold actions. Be agile and pivot as we test and learn. At Sun Life, we’re driving transformation, sustainability and innovation for our Clients, employees, partners, and communities. Join us. Together, we can make the future brighter. Join a top employer for a brighter future. Visit Sun Life Careers